In A/V wizard when I run the graphics Test, I see the first window with cube and penguin etc. The secondary window (torch) is just a blue screen, no image. Masking appears to work but no composite. So I guess that UI2 with overlay is a no go for me.

I am new to Kunbuntu and not sure how to check what video driver I am using, or how to update it. I will search for an updated Intel driver for GMA3100 if avail and post back if any success.

I presume you didn't buy this mobo specifically for LMCE given that all the recommendations on hardware are for nVidia graphics? With that in mind, when you do buy specific hardware, please ensure that you pick your graphics chipset carefully - anything in the 6200-8300 range is usually fine, sometimes requiring a driver update, the process for which can be found on the wiki under Display Drivers.

Some Intel chipsets (specifically the GMA945) occasionally crash LMCE, when this happens the screen freezes and nothing responds until after a reboot. Currently, there is no fix for this - hopefully the new kernel and drivers in 0810 may improve this situation - no timeline on this version yet.

The only work around is to disable Photo Screen Saver. This leaves the background unrefreshed, and so a bit messy, but it does work.

In A/V wizard when I run the graphics Test, I see the first window with cube and penguin etc. The secondary window (torch) is just a blue screen, no image. Masking appears to work but no composite. So I guess that UI2 with overlay is a no go for me.

I am new to Kunbuntu and not sure how to check what video driver I am using, or how to update it. I will search for an updated Intel driver for GMA3100 if avail and post back if any success.

This Intel driver should work fine with the GMA3100 http://lists.freedesktop.org/archives/xorg-announce/2008-July/000621.html... I say 'should' as we have found that no two i965 (or for that matter i945) boards will behave in exactly the same way even if they use the same GPU. Some i965 motherboards with GMA3100's work fine... but then another doesn't. Same goes for the i945 and the GMA950... Asus Eee Top works fine... but other similar hardware does not.

Our feeling is that 810 and the 2.6.27 kernel partnered with updated Intel 2.6.0 and later drivers should make a big difference to Intel based graphics. See http://intellinuxgraphics.org/2008Q4.html for 2.6.0 features specific to i965 etc

I presume you didn't buy this mobo specifically for LMCE given that all the recommendations on hardware are for nVidia graphics?

I bought this hardware because it was inexpensive and seemed like it would fit the bill for a HTPC. UI1 is still functional so the system fits the main purpose of being able to playback music and video. Everything else is gravy...

Thanks for all the replies. I'll reply to this thread after I put some effort into the display drivers.

I've tried turning off the zoom and pan in Photo Screen Saver with the 945 just now. It still crashes the system so it is either the fade or even just the texture map causing it (perhaps even the picture scaling). Fingers crossed that 0810 and the new drivers fix this. Once beta1 comes out, I'll install it and post whether it alleviates the Intel issues.

I've downloaded the most recent stable intel display drivers (2.6.0) and attempted to install. I attempted to follow the build instructions on intellinuxgraphics.org but unfortunately I think this stuff is over my head. I'll wait for a beta of 8.10 to come out, unless some kind soul wants to give step by step instructions for the absolute newbie of newbs.

Not yet, UI2 on medium settings is still unusable.BUTI'm not sure if the 2.5.0 driver is actually being used. My xorg.conf on shows 'configured device' etc.There's not indication of the driver being used.

Not yet, UI2 on medium settings is still unusable.BUTI'm not sure if the 2.5.0 driver is actually being used. My xorg.conf on shows 'configured device' etc.There's not indication of the driver being used.